At the same time, a high level of user protection is promised, similar to that applied in the EU. This is enshrined in the new Law on Electronic Communications, which was adopted by the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova on April 10.
Among its goals is the provision of such services at affordable prices for people with disabilities, the elderly and citizens with special social needs. In addition, one of the priorities in this area is the development of the internal market and common economic space in the field of electronic communications between Moldova and the European Union.
The Law pays a lot of attention to the consumers of these services, as provided for by several EU regulations and directives. And the National Regulatory Agency for Electronic Communications and Information Technology (ANRCETI) will have to take into account, as much as possible, the recommendations and decisions established by the European Commission in the field of electronic communications.
Providers of publicly available electronic communications networks or services in Moldova and in an EU Member State may conclude agreements between themselves on technical and commercial conditions of access or interconnection. This provides the basis for the application of “like home” roaming tariffs in the common area.
Tariffs in mobile and fixed networks for national calls and calls originating from numbers in EU Member States shall not exceed the maximum single tariff for the whole EU.
The Law obliges ANRCETI, together with the Ministry of Economic Development and Digitalization and the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, to monitor the development and level of retail prices for broadband Internet access and voice communication services in Moldova in relation to consumer income.
If prices are unaffordable for certain categories of citizens, the government can take support measures for them in the form of social benefits or vouchers, or direct payments. Or require service providers to offer special tariff options or packages to these consumers.
Internet access service providers should provide a clear and understandable explanation of the minimum, generally available, maximum and advertised download and upload speeds of Internet access services for fixed networks in their service contract. And for mobile networks, the expected maximum and advertised download and upload speeds of Internet access services.
The contract should also contain information on legal protection of consumers, if there are constantly or regularly repeated differences between the actual performance of the Internet access service and the declared one (in terms of speed or other quality parameters). In such a case, the consumer can claim damages. There are certain procedures for this purpose (it is necessary to contact ANRCETI).
Also, the Law guarantees confidentiality in the processing of personal data in the field of electronic communications. For example, data on the location of electronic communication subscribers can be processed only if they are anonymous or with the consent of these people. The provider must inform consumers of its services about the type of location data that will be processed, the purpose and duration of the processing and whether the data will be shared with third parties. Consumers have the possibility to withdraw their consent to the processing of location data.
The Electronic Communications Act will enter into force on January 1, 2026, with the exception of the chapter on the rights of end users. It will apply 24 months after publication.
